IN A world that often celebrates grand gestures and dramatic romances, Greg and Cindy Arnold’s story is a reminder that the most enduring love is often the simplest. Married for 35 years, their journey together has been marked not by extravagance but by everyday moments of companionship, laughter, and devotion to family.
Their story began in 1989 at a Halloween party hosted by Cindy and her friends. It wasn’t a glamorous setting, but it was the kind of gathering where friends came together, and new connections had a chance to spark.
“Some of my neighbors and I were having a little get together, and Greg and one of his friends showed up because he knew some of the other people that were at the party,” Cindy explained. “His friend had actually asked me for my number, and I told him it was in the book because I didn’t care about giving him my number. It was Greg I was looking at. Greg went home and looked it up, and called me at midnight that night.
From that phone call, the couple said a love story began.
Just weeks later, on Dec. 17, 1989, Greg proposed. Cindy said the moment was unexpected but very sweet and one she still remembers all these years later.
“I was getting ready to go to Oklahoma to spend Christmas with my family,” she said. “We were standing in the kitchen at his house, and he reached into his pocket and said, ‘I’ve got something for you.’ He handed me a ring and said, ‘I wanted to put this on your finger before you went to Oklahoma.’ It was simple, nothing fancy, but it was memorable to us.”
Their wedding day on July 22, 1990, was equally memorable. A beautiful church ceremony was followed by a reception at their home. Cindy said that that summer had been relentless, and on their wedding day, an unexpected thunderstorm rolled in. Cindy said chaos then ensued with tablecloths flying, decorations scattering, and a power outage. But, for Greg and Cindy, the imperfections only added to the charm.
“While there was a lot that went on that day, the most memorable part was having our family and friends there to celebrate with us,” Cindy said.
From the very beginning, their marriage has been grounded in simplicity. They don’t dwell on small disagreements or stress over things beyond their control.
“We don’t worry about the little things,” Cindy explained. “We just take it one day at a time with each other and our family. There’s no sense in worrying — it’ll happen one way or another.”
That philosophy has carried them through nearly four decades together, including years of working side by side. In 1996, Greg and Cindy opened Crossroads Market, a convenience store in the country. Their daughter grew up in the store, learning the value of hard work and family commitment. When she left for college, Greg and Cindy decided to close that chapter, but the memories of working together remain a cornerstone of their marriage.
“It was pretty easy for us,” Cindy said. “We just have a simple marriage. We don’t fight about things, and we just work well together.”
Greg agreed, noting that their success lies in respecting each other’s roles.
“I have my role, and she has hers,” he said. “We both work hard to fulfill those roles, and it just works for us.”
Their life together is filled with quiet joy. They love watching movies, especially around Christmas when they tune into Christian‑based holiday films. They enjoy cooking and spending time at home, particularly since Cindy has Alpha‑gal syndrome, which limits their ability to eat out. Instead of seeing this as a restriction, they’ve embraced the comfort of home life, finding happiness in the simple act of sharing meals and evenings.
When asked for advice for younger couples, Cindy offered wisdom born of her 35 years of marriage experience.
“Resolve the little things before they become big things. You both have to give and take to make it work,” she added.
Perhaps the greatest joy of their marriage, though, is their role as grandparents. Cindy said their daughter, Cassie, and her husband, Kelly, gave them two of the greatest gifts: their grandchildren, Anistyn, 11, and Samson, 6. The couple’s family is the light of their lives.
“Your kids are great until you have grandchildren, and then it’s all about the grandbabies,” Cindy added. “That’s what keeps us going. It keeps us young.”
Cindy credits her parents, who were married nearly 60 years before her father passed away, as role models.
“I had good examples to look up to,” she said.
The couple is now passing that legacy on to their children and grandchildren — a legacy of love, patience, and faith in the simple beauty of everyday life.
After 35 years, Greg and Cindy’s marriage is proof that love doesn’t need to be complicated to be extraordinary. Their story isn’t about lavish vacations or dramatic milestones. It’s about working together, living together, and cherishing the family they’ve built. GN
